SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Gonzaga head men's basketball coach
Mark Few is one of 17 Finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today at NBA All-Star Weekend. Few was named a first-time nominee in December.
The selection of 17 Finalists from the following committees: North American, Women's, Men's Veterans, Women's Veterans, International, and Contributors. The Finalists will then be put forward to the Honors Committee to be considered for election as members of the Class of 2025. The new class will be announced in San Antonio on Saturday, April 5, at the NCAA Men's Final Four.
"Selection as a Finalist for the Class of 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is a remarkable achievement, signifying a career of excellence and lasting influence on the game," said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "This recognition goes beyond statistics and accolades—it honors those who have defined eras, inspired generations, and elevated basketball through their talent, leadership, and dedication. Whether as players, coaches, teams, or contributors, each Finalist has left an indelible mark on the sport, and we are proud to celebrate their extraordinary impact."
Enshrinement Weekend will begin at the Mohegan Sun on Sept. 5, with the Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala, followed by the Enshrinement Ceremony the next day at Springfield's historic Symphony Hall.
"Being nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is something I never thought was in the realm of possibility, but I am incredibly humbled and honored," Few said when he was named a nominee. "It's just a great testament to be surrounded by unbelievable people my whole career. I thank all the great players that have allowed us the privilege to coach them. I'm grateful for our tremendously talented hard-working coaches, and an administration that has worked so well with us. Most importantly, I'd like to thank my family that has been supportive of everything throughout all these years. This honor would not be possible without all these great people, as it's something we've accomplished together."
North American Committee Finalists (in alphabetical order):
- 2008 US Olympic Men's Basketball Team
- Carmelo Anthony [Player] *
- Danny Crawford [Referee] *
- Billy Donovan [Coach] *
- Mark Few [Coach] *
- Dwight Howard [Player] *
- Marques Johnson [Player]
- Jerry Welsh [Coach]
- Buck Williams [Player]
Women's Committee Finalists:
- Jennifer Azzi [Player]
- Sue Bird [Player] *
- Sylvia Fowles [Player] *
- Maya Moore [Player] *
Women's Veteran Committee Finalist:
International Committee Finalist:
Contributors Committee Finalists:
*
denotes first-time nominee
Few has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in NCAA Division I basketball, and in the process has made Bulldog basketball a household name across the country. He served as an assistant coach at GU for 10 seasons prior to take the reins of the program for the last 26 seasons. Entering this season, Few ranks as the winningest active NCAA Division I coach by winning percentage at 83.3 percent (715-143).
Few has put together one of the most dominating runs in NCAA history. During his tenure as head coach, Few has led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament every season (except 2019–20, when the team had secured an automatic bid, but the tournament was canceled).
Few led Gonzaga to the national championship game in the program's first-ever Final Four in 2017, and again in the second Final Four in 2021. Under Few, GU has appeared in five Elite Eights and 13 Sweet 16s. He has coached 22 All-Americans, nine Academic All-Americans, 102 all-conference selections, 17 WCC Players of the Year, 10 league newcomers of the year, and nine league defenders of the year.
The Zags have won or shared 22 regular season league titles in his 25 seasons and taken home the conference tournament championship 19 times.
Few has also cultivated NBA talent, coaching 18 players that have been drafted and 28 that have appeared in the league.
Few will receive the John R. Wooden Award "Legends of Coaching" Award in 2025. The "Legends of Coaching" honor recognizes coaches who exemplify Coach Wooden's high standard of coaching success and personal integrity. Few is a two-time NABC Coach of the Year and two-time Naismith Coach of the Year recipient. He was the Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2017. He's also been named the West Coast Conference Coach of the Year a league record 14 times.
Few won a gold medal with Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Paris. He was an assistant coach for Team USA on the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. The staff included Head Coach and Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra and Clippers Head Coach Tyronn Lue.
Few boasts plenty of USA Basketball experience. Serving as an assistant coach at the 2018 USA National Team minicamp, Few was named an assistant coach for the 2019 USA Men's Select Team, a team that helped prepare the USA World Cup Team prior to playing in China. He returned in 2021 as an assistant coach for the USA Men's Select Team to help prepare the gold medalist U.S. Olympic Team prior to playing in Tokyo. He served as head coach of the 2015 U.S. Pan American Men's Basketball Team, a squad composed of collegiate players, and led the team to a bronze medal, and he also was an assistant coach for the gold medalist 2012 USA U18 National Team and a court coach for the 2009 USA Men's U19 World Cup/World University Games Team training camp.
Few and his wife, Marcy, have raised tens of millions of dollars for cancer research over the last 25 years, including hosting the country's largest Coaches vs. Cancer event, presenting the Ronald McDonald Charities Classic, endowing a weeklong camp for children with cancer, and spearheading the Community Cancer fund in Spokane.
